TechCrunch+ Roundup: Automattic TC-1, Grants & Productivity

Contributing to TechCrunch and TechCrunch+

For those keen on contributing content to TechCrunch or TechCrunch+, I will be hosting a Twitter Space discussion today at 3 p.m. PDT/6 p.m. EDT.

During this session, I will detail our editorial standards, the procedures followed during editing, and, crucially, the benchmarks used to assess a post’s value to our readership.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that this Space is not intended as a platform for pitching article ideas. If you wish to submit a post for potential publication, please direct your submissions to guestcolumns@techcrunch.com.

I anticipate a productive conversation and encourage you to come prepared with any questions you may have.

Why We Published the Travelpayouts GSSD Post

Following up on today’s discussion, I wanted to clarify the rationale behind publishing the guest post authored by Ivan Baidin, the head of Travelpayouts, which highlighted the productivity improvements achieved through a GSSD program – or “Getting S*** Done Day.”

The GSSD Program Explained

According to Baidin, Travelpayouts’ team members dedicate one day every other week to defining precise objectives and tackling specific, often challenging, tasks with minimal communication.

The implementation of “Getting S*** Done Day” has enabled the team to focus on previously neglected projects, including the reconstruction of lifecycle emails, enhancements to analytics, and optimization of work schedules.

Baidin emphasizes that completing these previously “eternally postponed” tasks resulted in measurable, incremental improvements. “We place a significant emphasis on this type of progress,” he states.

A TechCrunch+ “How-To” Article

This particular article provides strategic and actionable guidance for implementing a GSDD program, alongside valuable insights gained from the team’s experiences and the challenges they encountered during the experiment. It exemplifies the type of “how-to” content frequently featured on TechCrunch+.

Thank you for your time.

Walter Thompson

Senior Editor, TechCrunch+
@yourprotagonist

Automattic TC-1: A Deep Dive

This in-depth analysis focuses on Automattic, recognized as a primary commercial supporter of the WordPress open-source publishing platform.

Having been established for 16 years, the company is evolving into a significant force within the media landscape. The acquisition of Tumblr broadened its presence in the social media sphere, while WooCommerce, its WordPress-based e-commerce plugin, connects with point-of-sale systems for physical businesses.

This comprehensive series is structured into four distinct sections, each offering a unique perspective on Automattic:

Series Breakdown

• Part 1: The unconventional path to success – how initial missteps propelled Automattic to become a multi-billion dollar media enterprise (company history).
• Part 2: Navigating the complexities of aligning commercial objectives with the needs of an open-source developer community (open-source contributions).
• Part 3: Exploring the potential of social media and e-commerce to reshape the future of the open web (strategic acquisitions and future outlook).
• Part 4: The evolving role of text-based communication in the future of distributed work environments (company culture and remote work).

The series provides a multifaceted examination of Automattic’s journey and its impact on the digital world.

WooCommerce’s integration with POS systems demonstrates Automattic’s commitment to bridging the gap between online and offline commerce.

Each part of the series delves into a specific aspect of the company, offering valuable insights into its operations and vision.

Insights from the Chinese Mobile Gaming Market

The video game industry represents a significant financial undertaking, often involving multi-million dollar budgets. The mobile gaming segment, experiencing rapid expansion, is poised to become an even more profitable arena.

China’s substantial mobile gaming market is particularly noteworthy. However, stringent regulatory policies within the nation have caused hesitation among international game developers considering market entry.

Nevertheless, valuable lessons can be gleaned from the strategies employed by Chinese publishers to successfully operate within this regulatory framework, according to Jeff Sue, GM of Americas at Mintegral, a mobile ad platform.

Sue provides an in-depth analysis of the Chinese mobile gaming landscape in a TechCrunch+ guest article. He details how international publishers can effectively advertise and gain market share in China.

This can be achieved through strategic local collaborations, a focus on smaller, developing Chinese cities, and diligent observation of evolving social media trends.

Key Strategies for Success

• Local Partnerships: Collaborating with Chinese companies is crucial for navigating the regulatory complexities.
• Targeted Cities: Focusing on emerging cities can unlock new user bases and growth opportunities.
• Social Media Monitoring: Staying abreast of current social media trends is vital for effective marketing.

Understanding these elements is paramount for global publishers aiming to capitalize on the potential of the Chinese mobile gaming market.

Federal Grants: A Funding Option for Deep Tech Startups

While 2021 has presented a favorable climate for startup funding overall, deep tech companies often encounter difficulties securing investment. This is because a limited number of venture capitalists possess the necessary long-term perspective or tolerance for risk required by these ventures.

Nevertheless, federal grants represent a viable funding pathway for deep tech startups, and can also confer significant recognition. This is according to Xipeng Shen, the co-founder and CTO of CoCoPie.

Shen explains that successful selection from a large pool of U.S. applicants demonstrates the innovation’s substantial technical and commercial value, as well as its potential to positively influence the U.S. economy.

In a comprehensive article, Shen details the steps his company took to gain acceptance into the Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program. He notes that the funding is being strategically utilized to develop a minimum viable product based on their technology.

Understanding the SBIR/STTR Program

The SBIR/STTR programs are designed to encourage small businesses to engage in research and development with the potential for commercialization.

These programs provide funding opportunities across a wide range of scientific and technological areas. They are a key resource for deep tech companies.

• SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research): Supports research and development by small businesses.
• STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer): Requires small businesses to partner with a research institution.

Successfully navigating these programs can provide crucial early-stage funding for deep tech ventures.

The prestige associated with receiving a federal grant can also open doors to further investment and partnerships.

Strategic Use of Grant Funding

Shen emphasizes the importance of using grant funding strategically.

CoCoPie is leveraging their SBIR/STTR funding specifically to build a minimum viable product (MVP). This allows them to demonstrate the practical application of their technology.

Focusing on MVP development is a pragmatic approach for deep tech startups seeking to validate their concepts and attract further investment.

Latin America's Rapidly Expanding Open Banking Landscape: The Rise of APIs

Latin America is experiencing significant growth in its fintech sector, attracting substantial venture capital investment.

A key driver of this expansion is the increasing adoption of APIs centered around open banking principles.

Disrupting Traditional Banking

Historically, the banking sector in Latin America has been characterized by limitations. However, companies such as Nubank and Rebaja Tus Cuentas are pioneering changes in banking and financial services.

These advancements are further accelerated through the implementation of open banking APIs, as highlighted by Ximena Aleman, co-founder and chief business development officer at Prometeo.

The Benefits of an Open API Ecosystem

According to Aleman, an open API ecosystem – enabling third-party access to consumer financial data – leads to improvements in financial services.

Specifically, this access facilitates reduced transaction costs, faster processing times, and an enhanced user experience.

She details these benefits in a recent TechCrunch+ guest article.

• Lower costs for financial services.
• Reduced time spent completing transactions.
• Improved overall user experience.

The region’s embrace of open banking is poised to continue reshaping the financial landscape.

Rad Power Bikes: Mike Radenbaugh Discusses the E-Bike Revolution

The popularity of e-bikes experienced a significant surge during the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, Rad Power Bikes has emerged as a leading U.S. company in this sector, securing a substantial $150 million funding round this year.

Expansion and User Focus

With considerable capital now available, the direct-to-consumer business intends to broaden its reach into international markets. Simultaneously, Rad Power Bikes plans to aggressively scale operations.

Founder Mike Radenbaugh emphasizes that maintaining a commitment to accessibility will be crucial for continued success. He states that “being user-friendly” remains a core principle driving the company’s growth.

Insights from a Recent Interview

Radenbaugh recently engaged in a comprehensive discussion with Rebecca Bellan, offering insights into several key areas.

• The ongoing e-bike revolution and its implications.
• Strategies for diversifying the supply chain.
• An assessment of the long-term sustainability of the current surge in e-bike sales.

The conversation explored the factors contributing to the increased adoption of e-bikes and the challenges associated with scaling production to meet growing demand.

Radenbaugh also addressed the importance of building a resilient supply chain to mitigate potential disruptions and ensure consistent product availability.

Finally, the interview delved into whether the recent boom in e-bike sales represents a lasting trend or a temporary phenomenon.

Venture Capital in China Remains Robust Despite Regulatory Shifts

The startup community experiences considerable unease whenever new regulations are introduced in China, given the direct impact on their operations.

However, the flow of venture capital investment into China shows no signs of diminishing. Recent analysis by Alex Wilhelm and Anna Heim reveals that the third quarter of 2021 represented the most successful period to date for Chinese startups in terms of funding.

Investors are continuing to make substantial investments, despite the uncertainty surrounding potential future regulatory actions by the Chinese government.

This willingness to invest is a significant observation, even as the possibility of future impacts from government policy remains unknown.

Record-Breaking Investment in Q3 2021

The data indicates a particularly strong performance for Chinese startups during the specified timeframe. This surge in investment highlights the continued attractiveness of the Chinese market.

Despite the evolving regulatory landscape, investors are demonstrating confidence in the potential for growth and innovation within China’s startup ecosystem.

• Strong Investor Confidence: Despite regulatory uncertainty, investment levels remain high.
• Q3 2021 as a Peak: The third quarter of 2021 saw the highest investment figures ever recorded.
• Market Attractiveness: China continues to be viewed as a promising market for startups.

The ongoing investment activity suggests that the potential rewards are perceived to outweigh the risks associated with the changing regulatory environment.